Karibu magazine 2nd Edition

FIRST EDITION 30TH JULY 2016 

KENYANS IN THE UK MAGAZINE 

PEOPLE IN 

BUSINESS 

LIFE 

STORIES 

WHO IS 

MR SEED? 

W WITH 

INTERVIEW WITH 

KENYA HIGH 

COMMISIONER 

EDUCATION 

WHISPERS 

IN LONDON 

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Price £5

2 

1ST EDITION | JULY 2016

EDITORIAL 

It would be right to say Kenyans in the UK have come of 

age. As a a people, we have made enormous progress 

and succeeded despite the challenges and the many odds 

of living abroad. The future holds great prospects for us, 

our children and those who come after us. That said it is 

essential that we have a structured way to both celebrate 

our achievements and learn from one another in those 

areas important to us as Kenyans in the UK. We must 

continuously endeavor to seek to better our social and 

economic wellbeing here in the UK-and beyond. 

What a better way than having a platform from which to 

do so? 

“Karibu Magazine” will be a quarterly publication that shall 

aim to inform, entertain, educate and reflect in the best 

light the experiences, life and the interest of Kenyans in 

the UK. We shall catalogue events, achievements made 

by Kenyans in the UK; as well as the challenges they face 

and how to scale these down. The magazine shall also 

provide a historical timeline of our country as well as learn 

from the 47 different Kenyan communities so that we 

may better understand the lessons the past can provide 

to better and secure our country’s future. We shall seek as 

far as possible to be balanced, objective and at all times 

promote that which advances our progress as Kenyans in 

the UK; and give both prominence and publicity to those 

who have succeeded and those seeking to do so. 

We shall not affiliate ourselves with any political group 

or ideology and shall simply promote what’s best for 

Kenyans in the UK. 

We welcome you on board and hope this shall be a long 

and happy partnership. 

The Editor in Chief. 

1ST EDITION | JULY 2016 3

CONTENTS 

3 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 

6-9 MEET THE HIGH COMMISSIONER: 

»» 

p.12 

Thomas Musa our managing Editor meets the Kenyan high 

commissioner to the United Kingdom H.E. Lazarus Amayo. 

12-15 SACOMA: 

Perez Ochieng explains her delight at being selected to 

make a presentation and a pitch in front of royalty.. 

16-19 ONE ON ONE WITH MR. SEED: 

Alex Kamau our editorial director speaks to Mr. Seed about 

his thoughts on the life, opportunities and challenges facing 

Kenyans in the UK; and what he wants to be remembered 

for. 

20-21 MAJUU: GOSPEL SINGER NAOMI KARANJA USA 

»» 

p.21 »» 

p.58 

»» 

p.52 

»» 

p.56 

52-53 VOICE OF THE YOUTH: 

An inspirational lesson for the Youth: Stessy Nyaga aged 

25 narrates her transformation from a negative ultimate 

stereotype into the ultimate inspiration. 

20-21 WHISPERS FROM LONDON: 

The “Majuu” Story: A leopard does not change its spots. 

26-27 FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 

Meet the Chef- Peter Njiiru a Kenyan who served in the 

British Army now executive chef, Ventana Restaurant, 

Westlands, Nairobi. 

28-30 EDUCATION 

Understanding the English Education System: Challenges 

and Choices Facing Kenyan Parents. 

44-45 KENYA FACT FILE: 

A prolife of our beloved motherland. . 

48-49 PROFILE OF THE MASAAI 

photo from round uk

EDITORIAL 

TEAM 

Publisher. 

Mr. Peter Njiiri Karanja 

(Mr. Seed). 

Editor in Chief: 

Lydia Olet. 

Managing Editor. 

Thomas Musa 

Editorial Director. 

Alex Kamau 

Graphics and design. 

mrkeya (Noah Keya) 

Marketing, Advertising 

and Circulation. 

Mercy Kiminta.

KARIBU MAGAZINE ‘S INTERVIEW WITH 

H.E LAZARUS O. AMAYO, 

HIGH COMMISSIONER OF KENYA TO THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THE KENYA- 

UK RELATIONS (INTERVIEW BY MR. THOMAS MUSAU ON 25TH JULY 2016). 

What is Kenya’s Current Economic Status? 

Kenya has recorded impressive economic growth rates in the recent past. Indeed Kenya passed the threshold for 

becoming a low, middle income country following the rebasing in 2014. The economy has continued to be robust 

growing at 5.3% in 2014, 5.6% in 2015 and is expected to perform much better in 2016 at 6%. In 2015 Kenya’s 

Gross Domestic Production (GDP) was estimated to be 63.40 billion US dollars giving a GDP per capita of 1,376.7 

US dollars. 

The key contributing sectors were agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, construction, education, transport and 

storage. I must say that Kenya’s remarkable growth is attributed to the implementation of regulatory reforms and 

sound macroeconomic policies by the government that has resulted in improved ease of doing business in the 

country. This has been complemented by a very dynamic private sector operating in a stable and democratic 

political environment. Recent discoveries of oil, gas, coal and other minerals are expected to boost the country’s 

economic and overall development in the coming years. The Government is committed to improving the country’s 

competitiveness and sustainability to support rapid growth with the aim of achieving its goal of being an upper 

middle-income economy by 2030. 

6 


Kenya is the eighth largest economy in Africa and 

also the most diversified in the sub-region. It is the 

leading non-mineral based economy in sub-Saharan 

Africa and is emerging as one of the top destinations 

for investment. It is also a gateway to East and Central 

Africa offering access to the large EAC (140 million) 

and COMESA (400 million) markets. Kenya has 

therefore, made tremendous efforts to ensure that 

it fully integrates into the global value chain and the 

Multilateral Trading System. 

How would you describe the political and 

economic relations between Kenya and the United 

Kingdom? 

Kenya and the United Kingdom enjoy warm and 

cordial relations. The shared history, language, legal 

system, culture, and values characterize these bilateral 

ties. We have mutually beneficial links in trade, 

investments, tourism as well as cooperation in areas of 

defense, security and education among others. In this 

regard, we have had several Ministerial visits in recent 

years and high-level talks aimed at strengthening 

these bilateral relations. 

It is worth noting that the United Kingdom is one of 

Kenya’s key strategic development partners and the 

single largest source of Foreign Direct Investment 

from Europe. Currently, there are about 100 British 

investment companies based in Kenya, valued 

at more than STG £2.0 billion. Significant British 

investors include Vodafone, Standard Chartered Bank, 

GlaxoSmithKline, ACTIS, De La Rue, Barclays Bank and 

Unilever, among others. 

The UK is also Kenya’s third largest export destination. 

We mainly export tea, coffee, and horticultural 

products including floriculture, with the country 

accounting for 27% of the fresh produce and 56% of 

the black tea market in the UK. On the other hand, 

motor vehicles, printed materials, machinery, and 

chemicals form the bulk of imports from the United 

Kingdom. Last year, Kenya’s exports amounted to 

Ksh.40.67 billion while imports amounted to Ksh.42.97 

billion. Of course, this is still below our optimum 

potential, and it is our desire to expand and increase 

the volume and value of our bilateral trade. 

As you may be aware, tourism is the third largest 

source of foreign currency in Kenya after diaspora 

remittance and tea exports. The United Kingdom 

continues to be the biggest source market for Kenya’s 

tourism arrivals. 

Kenya, therefore, considers the United Kingdom as a 

friendly country, as well as a significant development 

trading and investment partner. 

What are the main functions and priorities of the 

Mission in the promotion of Kenya’s interest in the 

UK? 

As stated earlier, Kenya and the UK enjoy longstanding, 

friendly and broad-based bilateral relations 

which the Mission is committed to guard and deepen. 

The High Commission also promotes and protects 

the interest of Kenya and its citizens in the UK and 

Intergovernmental organizations in the country. 

We are keen on promoting economic relations by 

attracting more FDI to Kenya, increasing the volume 

and value of bilateral trade and actively marketing the 

positively unique tourist attractions in Kenya. 

Additionally, we aim at facilitating Kenyans abroad 

to participate in national development, providing 

responsive and efficient consular services and 

promoting access to the international labour market 

by Kenyans. 

The Mission also promotes partnerships between 

Kenya and the UK in various sectors of the economy 

such as education, science, and technology, energy, 

peace and security, among others. 

The look East policy – which the Kenyan 

government introduced in favor of the Chinese 

government, was a tough decision for our country. 

How did this affect our relationship with the UK? 

Let me take this opportunity to clarify that Kenya 

has not adopted a policy that favours China at the 

expense of other development partners. In pursuit of 

our national interest to transform Kenya into a newly 

industrialized, middle-income country providing 

a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a 

clean and secure environment, the Government 

seeks to consolidate and expand beneficial relations 

with its traditional partners as it also develops new 

partnerships with emerging economies. Kenya is 

also committed to promoting sub-regional & regional 

integration and cooperation with emphasis on intra- 

African trade as charity begins at home. You would 

appreciate that China is the 2 nd largest economy 

trading with and investing in many countries across 

the globe. 

What is the Government agenda for Kenyans in the 

diaspora? 

Significantly on people to people relations, there 

is a considerable population of UK nationals living 

in Kenya and Kenyan nationals living and studying 

in the UK. There are approximately 25,000 British 

nationals who are permanent residents in Kenya, and 

over 159,000 Kenyans living in the United Kingdom. 


The Government acknowledges and appreciates 

that these Kenyans in the Diaspora possess a wealth 

of knowledge, skills, expertise, experiences and 

networks which the country needs and is desirous 

to utilize in moving forward its development agenda 

in a highly competitive and globalized world. We 

believe the Diaspora is strategically positioned to 

play a pivotal role in the transformational socioeconomic 

development to which our country has 

committed to in accordance with our Vision 2030 

Blueprint. 

The Government has developed a policy which seeks 

to formalize and enhance this desired engagement 

with the diaspora in order to leverage and harness its 

considerable financial and intellectual resources for 

our national development. 

The Diaspora diplomacy is, therefore, one of the 

Pillars outlined in Kenya’s Foreign Policy. Its main 

objectives are to provide effective and responsive 

consular services; facilitate Kenyans abroad to 

participate in national development; promote the 

access to the international labour market by Kenyans, 

and tap into the skills and resources of the Kenyans 

Abroad for national development. 

We would therefore wish to encourage the Kenyan 

Diaspora residing in the UK to register with the Kenya 

High Commission and establish Diaspora umbrella 

bodies to enable structured engagement with the 

Government. 

The elections are around the corner any plans 

for the Kenyans in the Diaspora to vote in the 

national elections? 

As you are aware, the Constitution grants all eligible 

Kenyans the right to vote. Cognisant of the logistics 

necessary to implement this right, the law also 

allowed its progressive realization. In the last general 

elections, the Kenyan diaspora in Uganda, Tanzania, 

and Rwanda participated in the process, and there 

is every intention for a wider reach in the next 

elections. 

It is, however, important to appreciate that the 

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission 

(IEBC) is the constitutional body responsible for the 

conduct and supervision of referenda and elections 

to any elective body or office established by the 

Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed 

by an Act of Parliament. Consequently, it is the IEBC 

that would be in a position to provide direction as 

to how voting will be conducted in the diaspora in 

the next general elections and we will wait for their 

guidance on the matter. 

What is your take on Brexit? What implications 

does it have on Kenya UK relations 

The EU referendum was a democratic process 

undertaken by a sovereign state, and the outcome 

represents the will of the voters. It is understandable 

that the BREXIT vote brought about temporary 

economic uncertainty after the referendum results 

that negatively affected the strength of the sterling 

pound and the stock market, but this was expected 

in the short term. However, the Sterling pound 

has now generally stabilized; the London Stock 

Exchange has recorded an upward trend, and the 

world markets are gradually absorbing the economic 

shocks experienced after the referendum. 

At the national level, as you are already aware, 

the UK is one of Kenya’s key trading partners and 

remains a strategic market for Kenyan tea, coffee, 

and horticultural products including the famous 

Kenyan flowers. Kenya currently trades with the 

UK essentially under the European Union and 

East African Community Economic Partnership 

Agreement (EU-EAC-EPA) which was initialed in 2008 

and is awaiting signing by the EAC Partner States. 

However, it is worth noting that the exit of the UK 

from the EU may call for the negotiation of a bilateral 

framework between Kenya and the UK to manage 

economic relations and ensure a smooth transition. 

This will depend on the outcome of the negotiations 

between the UK and the EU member states on their 

exit strategy and subsequent related agreements. 

It is important to note that the UK will remain in 

the EU until negotiations for exit are concluded, 

a process that is expected to take approximately 

two (2) years after triggering article 50 of the 

Lisbon treaty that will initiate withdrawal from the 

organization. The economic and trade relations 

between Kenya and the UK will, therefore, continue 

to operate under the current trading arrangements 

until the negotiations and exit procedures are 

completed. The status quo should be a reassurance 

to the business communities in our two countries 

that there will be no interference with the current 

economic relations between the two nations. The 

UK Government has indeed emphasized that it will 

remain engaged with its key trading partners during 

the period of the negotiations. 

Taking into consideration the cordial and warm 

relations between our two countries, we are 

confident that Kenya will work towards negotiating a 

mutually beneficial framework to further deepen our 

existing trade and economic relations . 

8 



10 



SUCCESS STORY 

Kericho sweet potatoes endorsed by 

His Royal Highness 

Perez Ochieng explains her delight at being selected to make a presentation 

and a pitch in front of royalty. Pitch@Palace initiative and Africa Enterprise 

Programme (AEP) led her to meet and win the endorsement and approval of 

the Duke of York, His Royal Highness the Princes Andrew. 

By Perez Ochieng. 

Pitch@Palace has taken our company SACOMA 

and the Kericho sweet potatoes initiative to a 

level of visibility and access that we couldn’t 

ever have reached without such high level 

endorsement from Duke of York, His Royal 

Highness the Princes Andrew. I have made dozens 

of high level contacts with potential customers 

and connections; with tangible outcomes 

including investments, customer introductions 

and mentorship. The Pitch@Palace Team has 

been great at connecting me with industry 

leaders. We are currently working with various 

commercial agreements thanks to them. 

Meeting the Duke and Pitching at the Palace has 

provided me with further opportunity to stimulate 

innovation, as a catalyst for implementing ground 

breaking initiatives for industry and smallholder 

producers in Africa. I hope this shall help me 

achieve my dream and passion of creating an 

agricultural innovation in Africa, starting with 

Kenya. 

During my presentation at the Palace, The Duke 

of York Prince Andrew was very easy to talk 

to and really made me feel at ease. He spoke 

and asked questions with genuine interest 

and listened. He took time to understand 

the business concept and how the business 

model brings economic benefits for smallholder 

farmers in the county and supports 

rural development in Kenya. As I explained the 

innovation I saw he was giving instructions to 

his secretary on all the matters and specifics 

he wanted to be followed up as part of his 

mentoring and support. He joked about the 

amount of sweet potatoes he had to eat as 

he supports the business development and 

promoting the product. He asked ‘How much of 

the sweet potatoes will I have to eat myself? 

Now as I reflect back and think about it, I wonder 

how such a high ranking Royal could be so at 

ease and I know that this quality is what makes 

him a great mentor. I am sure this Pitch@Palace 

initiative and the Africa Enterprise Programme 

(AEP) will open many doors for Entrepreneurs 

in Africa and will be a great platform to help 

many businesses globally. The inspiration is just 

phenomenal and as entrepreneurs, this gives me 

that ‘big boost of confidence and encouragement 

to try that much harder to succeed’. Suddenly there 

seems to be NO Room for failure with the backing 

and endorsement of such inspiration mentors as 

His Royal Highness the Princes Andrew. After this 

endorsement I now feel that I have signed a 

life time commitment to make this agricultural 

innovation succeed, to make a change and to 

inspire others into enterprise. Ultimately my 

small contribution will change the image of the 

African continent from one that of a struggling 

and hopeless place, into a continent that is 

leading the way with new business models 

that respond to our own circumstances and the 

unique opportunities to poverty eradication 

12 


Pitch@Palace has 

taken our company 

SACOMA and the 

Kericho sweet potatoes 

initiative to 

a level of visibility 

and access that we 

couldn’t ever have 

reached without 

such high level endorsement 

from His 

Royal Highness. 

using available agricultural resources and 

Entrepreneurship. 

The Duke was so pleased with his pot of sweet 

potatoes that he ended up taking two pots! I 

said I would give him Kenyan made recipes so 

that he could continue to enjoy various flavours 

of the sweet potatoes either as part of a meal 

or as part of the value added healthy snacks or 

crisps. 

As you can imagine, when he asked me 

what support I needed, on top of my list 

was mentoring, business development and 

investment and of course I asked for A ROYAL 

WARRANT of supply for the sweet potatoes to 

the Palace. The Royal Warrants are a mark of 

recognition that tradesmen are regular suppliers 

of the highest quality goods and services to the 

Royal households. Strict regulations govern the 

warrant, which allows the grantee or company 

to use the legend ‘By Appointment’ and display 

the Royal coat of arms on his products, such as 

stationery, advertisements and other printed 

material, in his or her premises and on delivery 

vehicles. 

The Duke asked questions about the sweet 

potatoes, how many farmers were involved 

and about the product innovation and who 

else was supporting the initiative. He asked 

how he could specifically help to ensure this 

agricultural innovation and value added sweet 

potatoes products idea becomes successful, 

and is accelerated to impact positively and be 

replicated to create more enterprises and jobs in 

other parts of Africa. 

Since pitching at the Palace, the Duke of York’s 

Team have continued to support and introduce 

us to various networks and opening more doors 

for trade. 

The Duke founded Pitch@Palace to support 

Entrepreneurs with the acceleration and 

amplification of their business ideas. His Royal 


Highness watched as I pitched to an audience 

of 150 guests, including CEOs, Business Angels, 

Investors and Mentors among them the billionaire 

Nigerian business magnet Aliko Dangote and 

Olesegun Obasanjo – former president of Nigeria. 

When he saw the value added products from 

sweet potatoes (crisps, crackies, juices, snack bars 

etc), The Duke commented “It is clearly evident 

that we need to introduce this business to bulk 

buyers and raising the awareness amongst 

other people that there are fantastic business 

opportunities in the African regions that don’t 

otherwise get the exposure which is rightfully 

expected”. 

SACOMA is the only Kenya-Diaspora led 

company promoting the Kenya sweet potatoes 

commercialisation and entry into the UK/EU and 

new markets, organising farmers and teaching 

post harvest technologies, branding, value 

adding and using agricultural innovation and 

entrepreneurship to respond to skills challenges 

and technology needs for African small holder 

farmers. We influence and work with local county 

governments as stakeholders, creating new agribusinesses 

in the supply chain and supporting 

farmers’ cooperatives build their capacity to 

produce all year round, conform to internationally 

recognised food and safety standards; assuring 

customers of quality, traceability, reliability and 

service. As agricultural goods progress from field 

to fork, they require attention, tracking, integrity 

and a place for innovation, knowledge and 

enterprise. We offer an end-to-end supply chain 

range of services that reduce risk, ensure quality 

and improve productivity. 

We help ensure the integrity of the Kenyan 

food chains into UK/EU as well as Domestic and 

Regional Trade Blocs, by: Managing crops and 

Mobilising small holder farmers and Groups, 

providing Entrepreneurship training, Innovation, 

Leadership, Agriculture Project Management, 

Product Development and Branding, Access 

to Markets, PR, Business Development, and 

14 


strengthening agri-businesses designed to 

develop the African private sector and stimulate 

innovation and technology throughout the 

continent 

Pitch@Palace is about Innovation and 

Technology. I am confident that with the 

support of the Duke and other mentors and 

business development support, my inspirations, 

encouragement and the entrepreneurship skills 

I have, I now have what I need to do great things 

in Kenya and Africa 

“What does winning the African 

Entrepreneurship Programme (AEP)” mean 

for me and my business?” 

Winning the AEP provides the opportunity for 

me to stimulate innovation, as a catalyst for 

implementing ground breaking initiatives for 

industry and smallholder producers in Africa, 

Following my dream and passion to create an 

agricultural innovation in Africa starting with 

Kenya. It’s an opportunity to see African farmers 

not as tillers of soil but as producers who can 

trade quality foods in the global market place 

for profit; and with the knowledge of the market 

requirements. This should then filter through to 

the local level and help improve their quality of 

life. Curving a niche for quality African foods for 

a growing world population, and with further 

investment, giving them the opportunity to 

expand manufacturing , add value to their 

product, progress industrialisation to tackle 

food losses using modern post-harvest handling 

and food technologies, creating more jobs, 

enterprise, security and eradicating poverty 

using their already endowed agricultural 

resources. As well as working harder than 

many other professions and often for very low 

remuneration, most farmers care about their 

work and want to provide the best products and 

maintain their livelihoods for the future. 

I am not rich but I have a million dollar mind-set 

and a passionate commitment to innovation, 

creativity and Entrepreneurship. The opportunity 

for ongoing mentoring support and to ‘sit 

at the feet’ of HRH. The Duke of York, Retired 

President Obasanjo and Aliko Dagonte (Africa’s 

most successful entrepreneur) is a resource 

that far much outweighs cash in hand. As I get 

mentorship I will get to learn more and apply 

the knowledge with the resulting ripple effect of 

rapidly and widely making change happen. 

It is a not only an opportunity to increase 

sales but also expand the market the African 

sweet potatoes products. This should unlock 

the commercial value and replicate the model 

for other equally potential crops. As we speak 

this crop is now estimated to create 2000 jobs 

and other enterprises along the supply chain 

and in the agriculture sector. Winning the AEP 

provides the opportunity to bring into limelight 

the health benefits of sweet potatoes and its 

potential as a commercial crop for the health 

conscious consumer market. 

And to help me inspire more people into 

Enterprise to find solutions for day-to-day 

problems and to develop innovative products 

and services that are responsive to the many 

challenges we face today. To lead others to ‘see 

with their inner eyes what ordinary persons 

don’t see with their normal eyes’. I hope to bring 

inspiration to others to believe it is possible to 

bring change to the poor communities through 

Enterprise and trade opportunities-rather than 

handouts. 

We are all capable of change if only we could 

take a little time to risk, Innovate, to make 

progressive steps forward even when the whole 

world seems to be saying ‘’give up’’. We must 

be bold to bring our passion for a better Africa 

to life, to change the lives of many people who 

are in poverty through sharing knowledge and 

mentoring and inspiring the next generation. 

Finding time to nurture talent, share knowledge, 

skills, networks and exposure to inspire them 

to search within themselves and ‘bring forth’ 

their creativity and realize the solutions that are 

already in them. 

I am humbled and feel greatly honoured on 

behalf all other African people to have been 

selected to show what my many years of hard 

work and commitment has brought and to 

inspire others into Enterprise and change Africa 

and the world. 

If as a mother I can find time to bring inspiration 

to the ordinary person and the young 

generations, I believe we all can. 


Photo by 

UKENTV 

16 


ONE ON ONE WITH 

MR SEED 

Mr. Seed is perhaps one of the best known Kenyans in the UK. 

He is best known for his community website www.misterseed.com 

Alex Kamau spoke to him to understand who he is and gather his thoughts on the 

life, opportunities and challenges facing Kenyans in the UK; 

and what he would wish to be remembered for. 

Tell us about yourself. Who is Mr. Seed? 

Mr. Seed is a simple man from the slopes of the 

Aberdares in Muranga County, Kenya. My real names 

are Peter Njiiri Karanja a grandchild of Senior Chief 

Njiiri wa Karanja. 

What was your childhood or earliest 

ambition? 

My childhood ambition was to be a banker and 

possibly go on to become a politician. How I came 

to be an online journalist in London I don’t know. 

I would say it is God who led me that way. I am no 

longer interested in joining politics and I am happy 

to serve the community as I am doing today. 

Who was or is your mentor or earliest 

inspiration? 

My earliest inspiration was my uncle the late Mr. 

Kariuki Njiiri (an elder brother to my dad). He had 

graduated from a university in the US in 1956. 

When I was young my father encouraged me to 

study like him. He became an MP for Kigumo in 

Muranga County. He is the one who surrendered 

his Legislative Council seat (Legco) to Mzee Jomo 

Kenyatta in 1961 after he was released from 

detention. Perhaps had Kariuki not given up the seat 

Kenyatta’s story would have been different. 

How and when did your come to the UK? 

I came to the UK in the early nineties. I came to visit 

my relatives in UK and got stuck in. My family later 

joined me and we have since made both a family 

and a home here. 

You are perhaps one of the best known 

Kenyans in the diaspora? How did that come 

about? 

I can only say it is by the grace of God. I never 

expected to be popular in the Kenyans in diaspora. 

I think my service to the community from all corners 

of UK have made me popular. I am grateful and take 

it as a privilege. 

What is your greatest achievement so far? 

My greatest achievement is in my family. Me and 

my wife are grateful that we have been able to raise 

and educate our five children to the university level. 

Four of them are now married. To me that is my 

priority. Indeed even if you achieved a lot of other 

things in life and fail to bring up a good family your 

achievements could lead to nothing. On the other 

hand I have used my brand name Misterseed to help 

thousands of Kenyans in the diaspora in one way or 

the other. More than 18 Kenyans have married after 

making contacts in our website. I have many people 

who would not have bought property in Kenya in 

the areas they would have liked but through our 

website they got the relevant information and hence 

bought the properties of their choice. 

What is your greatest disappointment? 

My biggest disappointment in the UK has largely 

been seeing Kenyans trying to undo and destroy 

each other which is very disappointing. 


18 


In what place are you happiest? 

My happiest in my home with my family and 

especially spending time with my grandchildren 

when they come visiting. Whenever they see me, 

they all gather around me dancing and calling me. 

Nothing makes me happier. I have 5 at the moment 

and expecting more very soon. 

Kenyans in the UK are such a complex group 

of individuals. How would you summarise 

your understanding of them? 

Like every group, our community is very complex 

but God has given me wisdom to deal with them. I 

have come to learn that one needs a lot of wisdom 

to deal with Kenyans and its essential to maintain 

a respectful gap to get along with them. Have you 

ever been to the underground stations when they 

announce that you mind the gap? I always mind 

about the gap.... If you close the gap, you may find 

yourself in a difficult situation. This is because some 

people in our community believe that competition 

and pulling each other down is the only way to 

success. 

In your view what challenges do Kenyans in 

the UK face at the present time? 

The biggest challenge Kenyans in the UK are facing 

at this time is the Brexit. The value of the pound has 

fallen drastically which has affected their investments 

and the exchange rate in Kenya which has fallen 

drastically. Mistrust in UK and in Kenya when many 

have lost millions through untrustworthy friends. I 

think most Kenyans I meet have sad news or had a 

sad story to tell on how they have been corned or 

been swindled often by very close family members 

including parents. 

What opportunities can Kenyans make use in 

the UK? 

Kenyans in the UK can make use of the falling pound 

to buy goods in the UK and sell them in Kenya. 

Companies shares have fallen due to depreciation 

in the sterling value sooner or later things will start 

picking up. Whatever goes up surely come down 

and vice versa. 

We’ve seen many financial and investment 

firms in Kenya coming to the diaspora to 

offer their products. Do you think they 

understand the financial needs of Kenyans in 

the diaspora? 

Many of the financial and investment firms coming 

to the diaspora have both pros and cons. Some of 

them have bad intentions without caring how they 

will benefit those in the diaspora as long as they 

make money themselves. Others are good and have 

made a big impact within in our community. 

Do you like politics 

I used to like politics when I was young but as I grew 

older and maybe wiser, my interest in politics has 

quickly dried up. I chose to be neutral in politics 

trying to identify with what is right. My position in 

the community also means I can only be politically 

neutral. I serve both government and opposition 

because I am like a father in the community. 

What do you want to be remembered for? 

I would like to be remembered for creating the first 

Kenyan website in the diaspora which is the most 

advanced and covers all areas that the peop0le in 

diaspora would like information in. I thank God for 

that. We are launching Kenyan community magazine 

in which I am a patron. This is another step in 

keeping Kenyans in diaspora informed especially 

here in UK. 

www.misterseed.com 


MAJUU 

Real Life Stories 

By Antony Kangonga Kimani BA Communications University of East London, 

The University of Wales Bangor. Email: office@lmcc.in. 

Majuu is a commonly known nickname for the Kenyan living in diaspora who happens to frequent 

back home either for investments or holidaying. It is a name used so much to define change of status 

which is sometimes a misconception as nothing changes to be a more Kenyan or less one irrespective 

of whether one finds himself in Europe or Dubai. In fact we in diaspora fight it rough to catch up with 

people at home. They have really advanced in general. May be they call us a Majuu people simply 

to define the myth of distance. In this corner we will try to enlighten Kenyans in Majuu and those 

dispersed that we are the one and no Kenyan is supposed to be left behind of fluid news happening or 

made to happen. The Majuu Kenyans must constantly network with each other so as to share capital be 

it in knowledge or material. 

The Majuu times focus this season is the tour of a 

fellow Majuu Gospel Singer Naomi Karanja from 

Atlanta Georgia USA. Her tour in July has seen 

her in Germany touring Berlin and Frankfurt. Her 

popular song MUHOTORO is quit a hit among many 

Kenyan. Naomi has some energy that has taken many 

people aback. She is innovative and yet very stage 

authoritative. London and Nottingham will be the 

many beneficially of her immense spiritual message 

she has been championed to run with. She is in 

London hosted by London Mission Christian Centre 

and in Nottingham by a fellow singer Eunice Njeri. 

Who is Naomi? The famous Muhotoro! 

Those who knows her would agree that she admits 

freely with wit and humor that she is a real miracle. 

A woman who wa born and raised in rural Kenya East 

Africa . She hustled in Nairobi and latter relocated 

in America only to build strong heritage and status 

thinking she will enjoy life now that she is in Majuuu 

but that was not the case. What followed was a roller 

coaster of pain and frustrations that only by listening 

to her songs one can read her true past. 

She lost for fact nearly everything including her 

marriage. Her story has been narrated to Majuu Corner 

without adds or minuses. At some stage she became 

a byword to her so called friends who teared her left 

right during her wilderness. Naomi would ride her car 

past her home address due to the many issue that was 

in her head. Depression indeed hit her so much that 

she lost hope of any reverse. 

It is a common known saying ‘akisema atakubariki 

hakuna atayezuiya’ If God says he will bless you no 

force can stop him. That is exactly what God did. 

Today Naomi songs are in many Kenyans home. She 

is touring countries giving her testimony of how to 

overcome setbacks by using them as your stepping 

stones. 

Naomi Karanja is a Born again Christian, mother, 

church leader, singer and song writer but still a tool of 

comfort to those that are hurting especial those who 

are afraid of being pushed in single hood due to the 

stigma that is attached by broken marriages. Her main 

contact in Caroline Kimani of London Mission Christian 

Centre www.lmcc.in. She can also be reached for 

public engagement on naomi_karanja@yahoo.com. 

What this space for the Majuu surprises in the next 

edition. 

Do you have any story to share about living and 

working in the Diaspora? 

Please write to 

editorial.karibu@gmail.com 

20 

1ST EDITION | JULY 2016 

20 


Gospel Singer Naomi 

Karanja from Atlanta 

Georgia USA. 


WHISPERS 

from London 

A Leopard does not change its spots. 

Carlos aka Man Man offers vital life lessons and an insight into how we easily fall into 

traps and how we could easily avoid them. 

By Carlos aka Man Man: 

After getting himself two jobs and doing numerous 

overtimes in England, Jim finally had enough money 

to buy a car of his dreams. His dream car by then was 

a sleek, convertible BMW with alloy reams and executive 

leather seats. He knew that to get such a car, he 

would have to pay through the nose. He had worked 

so hard so he deserved the comfort. 

He could not believe his luck when he saw a black, 

sleek convertible BMW car by the roadside advertised 

for sale. He stopped to have a closer look at the 

car and was satisfied that, that was the car that he 

had been dreaming about. The price indicated was 

somehow off his budget but he was sure that if he 

talked to the owner, the price would be lowered. He 

took the contacts given so as to call him later. 

On reaching home, he called the number where he 

heard a man’s voice. 

‘Hello is this the Peter who is selling the BMW on 

Yankee Road?’ he asked. 

‘Yes -Sir - indeed - I -am - the - Seller,’ said the weakest 

voice that he had ever heard. Afterwards, he heard 

him make a prolonged cough. 

The more they talked, the more Jim realised that he 

was torturing him so he suggested that they meet 

later that day when he would have a look at the car. 

Meanwhile, he went online to familiarise himself with 

all the problems associated with used BMW cars. 

They met at the agreed time and he was overjoyed 

knowing that if he played his cards well, he would 

be the owner of the magnificent BMW. He imagined 

himself driving in Central London as he enjoyed the 

summer sun and he felt great! When the owner arrived, 

he noticed that the seller was a young man in 

his twenties and painfully thin. He extended his thin 

hands to greet him, struggling to to put a smile. Peter 

looked at his neck and saw that his skin was dry and 

worn out. 

‘Nice to meet you Peter. I am Jim,’ he said. 

‘Oh, pleasure to meet you. “Nice car you have got Sir”. 

He said to him. 

‘Jim, just know that you are the luckiest man alive. I 

was forced by sickness to sell this BMW. I cannot be 

able to sit on those seats anymore because of the 

chemotherapy...’ he said in a soft, slow voice. 

22 


‘Peter you are going for chemotherapy...you have...?’ 

asked Jim in disbelief. 

‘Yes, I have cancer of ...’ he said something that was 

not comprehensible. 

‘Sorry for that, “I wish you a quick recovery” he said. 

‘No, I won’t recover. “The cancer is now in its final 

stages. I am just counting days”..... he said. 

For the first time Peter became tongue-tied. To see a 

young man in his early twenties in his final days on 

earth was just too sad to see. 

They then went back to business of the car. Jim entered 

the car still with difficulties and showed Peter 

many things about it. The interior was sparkling and 

the alloy wheels reflected their importance. 

‘Jim, do you mind if I ask you to give me a discount?’ 

I asked waiting for a No answer. I asked him to give a 

discount of £1K from the original purchase price. 

‘Are you sure you are asking a discount from a dying 

man? This car is in the best shape!’ he said. Finally 

they exchanged details after which Peter paid for the 

car. Jim promised that he would get in touch in case 

Peter wanted to know anything more about the car. 

On reaching home, Peter made another thorough 

check on the car and realised that the manual documents 

were missing. He tried to call Jim but he was 

not answering the phone. No big deal, if he could get 

healed first, the rest would follow. 

That night, Peter decided to use the sleek BMW to go 

to work. While on the motorway he noted that when 

he cruised at 70Mph, the car was making funny noise 

as if the engine was being strangled. Another thing, 

the heating system was faulty. The following morning 

Peter called him but his phone was permanently 

switched off! In summary, the vehicle needed a lot 

of repairs to be a real BMW worth its salt. For it to be 

‘normal’ Peter would have to pay another £3K to the 

mechanics. When the deal is too good, think twice. 

In diaspora, we come across myriads of deals every 

day which on surface look very good but in reality it 

is a rip off. One can be offered a loan by a financial 

institution and is even informed that he can start 

paying after three months. When he starts paying, 

he will find that by the time he completes paying the 

loan, he has paid twice the original amount thanks to 

high interest rates attached to the loan. We all need 

financing to meet our financial objectives but when 

paying, we pay through the nose so we become 

slaves for the loan. 

Our relatives back home engage us in land transactions 

which look very good on the face value. We 

send our hard earned money to them to buy for us 

not realising that the price they tell is many more 

times over the selling price. They have misconception 

that money in diaspora falls from the sky and 

since money is not a problem, they ruthlessly take 

advantage of us. Anybody in the diaspora who has 

never been conned by a relative has not yet reached 

abroad. 

There are instances when we arrive in our adopted 

countries; we immediately forget the relationships 

we had in our home countries. In our minds, our 

girlfriends, wives or husbands we had at home are 

not sophisticated as the new ones we find abroad. 

As the new relationships flourish, babies come along. 

Eventually we realise that we got married without 

knowing. They say that long distant relationships 

do not work so our former relationships are dead 

and buried. With so many human rights on this and 

that coupled by numerous culture shocks, we finally 

start regretting why we engaged ourselves in some 

relationships in the first place. In the privacy of their 

bedrooms, many couples know that they are ‘married’ 

bachelors. One is yet to be in diaspora if his or 

her relationship has never had real and sustained 

crises while abroad. 

Back to the story. How on earth would someone on 

their deathbed another? Considering Jim’s health 

was very poor and he was supposedly in his final 

days on earth, how comes that he could not be honest 

enough to inform Jim that the car was faulty? 

How did Peter allow himself to make a judgement 

based on emotions instead of doing critical analysis? 

When the deal is too good, think twice, so goes the 

old adage. Never should anyone use emotions when 

engaging in any financial transaction. When dealing 

with sale of goods in law, there is what is commonly 

known as ‘Caveat emptor’ or buyer beware. It is very 

true that a leopard does not change its spots. Also, as 

an African proverb says, a leopard has a nice skin, but 

not a nice heart! 

E-mail: manman@fsmail.net 


MR SEED.COM 

WHERE OUR COMMUNITY MEETS 

24 

1ST EDITION | JULY 2016 

MEET FRIENDS 

INVESTMENT IDEAS 

COMMUNITY UPDATES 

DIASPORA LINKS 

& MORE


CHEFF 

Peter Njiru 

Ventana Restaurant, Bidwood Suites, Westlands, Nairobi 

Peter was brought up in London where he joined the British Army before deciding to go back to 

Kenya. He is now a top chef in one of the top restaurants in Westlands, Nairobi. 

How did you become a chef? 

I dreamt of it at a young age and after my GCSE I 

enrolled at Westminster College in London. I worked 

at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth while I served with 

the Royal Marines. I also worked at The Dorchester in 

the heart of London. 

What would you be doing if you were not a chef? 

My passion has always been food but I also love 

farming. 

Who is your inspiration? 

Gordon Ramsey, because of his perfection in the 

kitchen. 

Which dignitary would you like to cook for? 

I would love to cook for President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

What genre of music best represents your style of 

cooking? 

Hip-hop, because of my style in the kitchen. 

What is the secret to making a good stew? 

The secret is not to be in a rush; slow cooking is the 

key. Meat gets very tender. 

At home, what do you love to eat? 

I love our traditional arrow roots mashed with 

potatoes and served with a nice fry-up. 

What is your most popular dish with your 

audience? 

The house burger with our signature fries. 

Words to live by? 

Tough people last in tough times. 

What unusual hobby do you enjoy? 

I’m into bodybuilding. 

The worst thing you have ever tasted? 

Snake soup. 

Three best restaurants in the world? 

Ventana, and Zarzars and Olive Italian Kitchen in the 

UK. 

What five ingredients are never missing in your 

kitchen? 

Basil, cracked pepper, good knives, olive oil and 

Tabasco. 

26 


Whisky mustard crusted pork chops with 

vegetable rice 

Ingredients 

4 x pork loin chops, French trimmed, fat removed 

75ml/3fl oz whisky 

75g/3oz yellow mustard seeds 

25g/1oz brown mustard seeds 

50ml/2fl oz water 

75g/3oz dried breadcrumbs 

25g/1oz honey 

1 lemon, juice only 

1 tbsp olive oil 

25g/1oz butter 

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Method: 

· Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Heat 

the whisky, honey, lemon juice and water in a 

saucepan until the honey dissolves. 

· Stir in the mustard seeds and cook for one to 

two minutes, or until most of the liquid has 

been absorbed. 

· Blend the mixture in a food processor until 

creamy (this will take a few minutes). Sprinkle 

the breadcrumbs onto a plate. 

· Brush the pork chop on one side with 

the mustard mixture and dredge in the 

breadcrumbs. Spoon the remaining mustard 

into a small bowl and set aside. 

· Heat the olive oil and butter in an ovenproof 

frying pan until hot. Fry the pork chops for 

two to three minutes on each side, or until 

golden-brown on each side. Transfer to the 

oven for six to eight minutes, or until the pork 

is cooked through. 

· Remove from the oven and set aside to rest. 

· To serve, spoon some vegetable rice onto 

each plate, top with a pork chop and serve 

with the remaining mustard sauce. 


EDUCATION 

Understanding the English Education System: 

Challenges and Choices Facing Kenyan Parents. 

By Alex Kamau. 

“Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant 

can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, which a child of 

farmworkers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what 

we are given, that separates one person from another”. Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom 

Preview. 

The month of August is important for parents with children in school at all levels in the United 

Kingdom. It’s the month when A level results are released, determining who joins what university 

for what degrees or diploma courses. It’s also the month GCSE results are released, deciding what 

college or training pupils join; and this has a critical effect on their access to employment; and 

with it the keys to a bright career and consequently financial and economic prosperity. 

Beginning 2014, the government brought changes to the curriculum geared to making the examinations 

tougher and more problem solving especially in maths. The consequence is that the future shall see 

fewer high grades and many disappointed students who shall find that achieving the equivalent of a C 

grade will become that much tougher. 

As an example the percentage of pupils in year 6 achieving the expected level in reading and writing 

has fallen from over 80% in 2015 to only 53% this year. Figures released by the education department for 

2016 shows that 53% of children passed in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. This means 47 per cent 

failed to pass across all three subjects. 

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Why does it matter to you as a parent? 

Sadly there still exist a disproportionately high number 

of Kenyan parents in England who still don’t understand 

how the education system works. Many remain 

unsure what exactly is a well performing student or a 

deteriorating one. In Kenya it was simple since most 

schools ranked their pupils by ability and performance 

and so long as your child was say position 20 and 

below, you could be assured that success awaited. The 

story in England is different. 

What then should parents do? 

This article will attempt to explain under what parents 

with children in school in England should know and 

possibly do to support their children. 

Parents with children in Primary School-Key Stage 

1 & 2. 

The primary level is crucial and the years to watch are 

years 2 and year 6 especially the attainment at year 6-as 

the child prepares to join secondary school. Parents 

should ensure their child has ideally exceeds the 

expected level in Maths, English (reading and writing 

and comprehension) at the end of year 6. Parents 

will be pleased by just how much they can help their 

children if they have the right resources. The key is for 

the child to develop arithmetic, reasoning, problem 

solving, reading; writing and comprehension skills 

from an early age. These shall prove invaluable later on. 

Parents with Children in Key Stage 3. (Also called 

Lower Secondary School). 

The secondary level is divided into two: Key Stage 3 

for children in years 7, 8 and 9 and the GCSE (years 10 

and 11). In Years 7 - 9, pupils follow a broad curriculum 

which includes: Mathematics, English, Science, 

Religious Education, Citizenship, Geography, History, 

Languages, Technology, Music, Art, Drama and Physical 

Education. Information Technology is an integral part of 

the curriculum and is taught both as a separate subject 

and across all subject areas as a key skill- (in addition to 

numeracy and literacy which need to embedded in all 

subjects. 

These three years shape and develop pupils’ interest 

in the subjects they have the greatest ability and 

enjoyment in; and wish to concentrate on at GCSE. 

Schools inform parents when it is time to choose 

subjects at year 9. Parents should be involved and 

assist their children in making these choices and ask for 

help if need be. Parents should dissuade their children 

from making choices based on what a child’s friends 

have chosen. 

Key stage 3 shouldn’t be too early to explore what your 

child wishes or hopes to do in future. As far as possible, 

they should choose those subjects which reinforce 

that aspiration and ambition. It’s regrettable that so 

many children aspiring for say science, medical and 

engineering careers perform rather abysmally in maths 

and science in earlier years, unaware of the importance 

of these subjects to their aspirations. By the end of year 

9 parents should ensure their child has a good level 

or attainment in the core subjects of Mathematics, 

English and Science, and do well generally in the other 

subjects so the child is ready to join Year 10 and start 

preparation for the all-important GCSE exams which 

they mainly sit for at the end of year 11. 

Parents with Children in Key Stage 4: Years 10 & 11. 

(Also called Upper Secondary). 

At this stage all pupils study English, Mathematics, 

Science, Technology, Religious Education, and Modern 

Languages. Pupils can choose additional subjects 

according to their interest from among others the 

following: History, Geography, Music, Art, Drama, 

Media, Information Technology, Physical Education, 

Business Studies, and ICT. The pupils sit for an exam at 

Year 11. 

A child who completes and passes GCSE with at least 

5 grades A-C including in Mathematics, English and 

Science has an expanded opportunity of progressing 

to college and university; as well as what they study 

while there. Admission to study for A levels requires 

a minimum of 5 GCSEs with at least grades A-C. Good 

colleges require that one two of these subjects be 

mathematics and English-and some colleges decline 

students with below a grade B in any GCSE subjects. 

Failing the GCSE exam may almost automatically 

exclude a pupil from the highly paying and prestigious 

careers such as Medicine, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy, 

Journalism, Computer Science, Accountancy and 

Finance etc. This is because these careers favour 

academic students who tend to do well in Maths, 

English and Science. It’s generally agreed that high 

achievement in these three core subjects indicate a 

pupil capable of being trained in almost any career. 

The Sixth Form- Key Stage 5: Years 12 and 13. (Also 

called College). 

At this level pupils can choose either A -levels which 

are for the academically inclined students (those most 

suited and most capable of studying for and sitting 

exams. Assessment at A level is largely and mainly 


through written exams. A level subjects include 

but are not limited to: Art, Accounting, Biology, 

Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Design, 

Technology, Drama, English, Economics, French, 

Geography, German, Government and Politics, 

History, IT, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Music 

Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, 

Religious Studies, Sociology, Critical Thinking ,General 

Studies, Spanish, Textiles etc. 

Those less academically able or poor at sitting 

written exams choose to do vocational courses 

where assessments are through coursework and 

NOT written exams. A levels and vocational courses 

typically last two years, after which the students apply 

to join university, direct employment or other forms 

of training including apprenticeships (on the job 

training). 

For students who do exceptionally well at GCSE and 

hoping to join top UK universities, it’s important that 

they choose and study for A levels and very importantly 

choose old traditional subjects such as Mathematics, 

English, Sciences, history, geography, economics 

etc. The top UK universities have a canny preference 

for these traditional subjects. UK Universities are not 

the same; some are good in some degree courses 

and not others. Asking for help and getting the right 

information shouldn’t be hard. 

Parents must not be deceived by the promise of free 

education and should where possible offer additional 

support themselves at home and where necessary 

enrol the pupils for additional tuition in Maths, 

English and Science. Research evidence has shown 

that immigrants who encourage their children to 

study for the old traditional subjects discussed above; 

result in their making faster progress in their adopted 

countries; succeeding financially and gaining rapid 

economic security and general acceptance-as well 

as envy!. It is the secret Asians, Chinese and Jews 

realised long ago and this may explain their success 

in education and near dominance in the professional 

cadres in the UK and elsewhere in the world; where 

top skills are needed from the NHS, Pharmacies, 

Banking, law, Accountancy and Finance etc. Kenyans 

can follow a similar path since education remains the 

shortest path to success in the UK and elsewhere. 

Conclusion. 

I don’t suggest that all Kenyan children in the UK have 

to study for medical, law, engineering or Accounting 

and finance careers. Of course there are opportunities 

in other disciplines. What’s without doubt is that 

parents should do their part to encourage and 

support their children to aspire, achieve and exploit 

the many opportunities available in this country. 

This article is not exhaustive. I don’t claim to know 

everything about education in Britain. However 

taking action early is better than waiting too late as 

the longer a parent waits, the harder it gets to take 

helpful action. 

The writer teaches at a college in London. He was 

previously a visiting lecturer in Accounting, Business 

Strategy & Economics at the University Of East 

London. He has also offered private tuition to pupils 

over many years. 

Parents who may wish to get advice and guidance on 

tuition materials to support their children form years 

2-9 (Ages 6-14) can contact me on: 07958777350 

or email me on: prolearnuk@gmail.com 

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THE KENYA NATIONAL ANTHEM. 

KISWAHILI 

Ee Mungu nguvu yetu 

Ilete baraka kwetu 

Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi 

Natukae na undugu 

Amani na uhuru 

Raha tupate na ustawi 

Amkeni ndugu zetu 

Tufanye sote bidii 

Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu 

Nchi yetu ya Kenya 

Tunayoipenda 

Tuwe tayari kuilinda 

Natujenge taifa letu 

Ee, ndio wajibu wetu 

Kenya istahili heshima 

Tuungane mikono 

Pamoja kazini 

Kila siku tuwe na shukrani 

ENGLISH 

O God of all creation 

Bless this our land and nation 

Justice be our shield and defender 

May we dwell in unity 

Peace and liberty 

Plenty be found within our borders 

Let one and all arise 

With hearts both strong and true 

Service be our earnest endeavour 

And our homeland of Kenya 

Heritage of splendour 

Firm may we stand to defend. 

Let all with one accord 

In common bond united 

Build this our nation together 

And the glory of Kenya 

The fruit of our labour 

Fill every heart with thanksgiving. 


KENYA: COUNTRYFILE. 

How much do you now about Kenya? 

The following summarizes key aspects about our 

country and we hope you and your children can 

benefit from it 

History: 

· Independence from Britain on 

12 th December 1963. 

Geography & Demographics. 

· Kenya is the 49 th largest country 

in the world covering an area of 

581,309 km 2 . 

· With a population of 45 million 

the overwhelming majority of 

whom are below the age of 50. 

Administration. 

· The country was previously 

divided into 8 provinces- Central, 

Rift-valley, Coast, Nyanza, 

Western, Eastern, Nairobi and 

North Eastern. 

· After the new constitution in 

2010, the country is now divided 

into 47 counties- each headed 

by a governor akin to the ones 

we have in the US- or Nigeria. 

· Nairobi remains the political, 

economic and social capital of 

the country with very limited 

effort to move any national 

foundations elsewhere. 

Politics and governance. 

· A presidential system with a 

president elected after every 5 

years. 

· Two Legislative houses-the 

Lower House - Parliament with 

349 members and the upper 

house- The Senate with 67 

members. 

· Membership is by election 

through some members are 

nominated directly by their 

political parties. 

· All counties have elected 

members who form regional 

parliaments and governments. 

· Kenya has had 4 presidents since 

independence: 

ü Jomo Kenyatta who led the 

country to independence 

until his death in 1978. 

ü Daniel arap Moi from 1978 

to 2002. 

ü Emilio Mwai Kibaki- from 

2002-2013-todate. 

ü Uhuru Kenyatta (son to 

the first president)-2013- 

todate. 

*Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga served 

as the second prime minister of the 

country from 2008-2013. 

Regional hub. 

· Nairobi remains a regional 

and the African headquarters 

of many global corporations 

such as GE, Google, GSK, and 

Microsoft; as well as scientific 

and research organization such 

as the International center for 

inspect physiology and ecology- 

ICIPE. 

· It is the only third world country 

with a UN headquarters-the 

United Nations environmental 

program located in Nairobi along 

Limuru Road 

Major exports 

· Tea, coffee, horticulture (flowers 

and fruits), pyrethrum, tourism 

and manufactured goods to the 

region. 

· Sports especially athletes, rugby 

and recently footballer(s). 

key economic sectors 

· Agriculture, horticulture and 

food processing. 

· Banking and insurance. 

· Technology and mobile 

communication. Among the 

country with the highest mobile 

phone connectivity with 35 

million active mobile phone 

handsets. 

· Dairy farming. 

· Kenya will soon be a major 

exporter of valuable minerals, 

oil and natural gas. 

Major tourist attractions/Places to 

visit: 

· The spectacular and beautiful 

Great Rift Valley. 

44 


· The great Mount Kenya (the 

second highest mountain in 

Africa). 

· Maasai Mara Game Reserve and 

specifically the wildest migration 

across the crocodile infested 

Mara River. 

· The Nairobi National Park in the 

outskirts of Nairobi. 

· Beautiful and spectacular 

beaches at the Kenyan coast. 

· The Fort Jesus along Nkrumah 

Road in Mombasa -Built by 

the Portuguese explorers and 

opened in 1593. 

· Bullfighting in Western Kenya. 

National Anthem. 

The Kenya national anthem 

expresses the convictions and 

aspirations of the Kenyan people. 

It was commissioned in 1963 – 

Originally in Swahili and was based 

on a traditional tune sung by 

mothers of the Pokomo Community 

to their children. 

Key personalities: 

· Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi 

Waciuri (deceased)- A brilliant 

military organiser who led the 

Mau Mau uprising against the 

British. Captured and executed 

by the British on 18 th February 

1957; and sadly still buried at 

the Kamiti Maximum security 

prison to this day. 

· Jomo Kenyatta (deceased) - 

Founding prime minister and 

president of the Republic of 

Kenya. 

· Oginga Odinga (deceased) 

– Freedom fighter and 

independence icon. 

· Masinde Muliro (deceased) 

– Freedom fighter and 

independence icon. 

· Daniel arap Moi- Second 

president of the Republic of 

Kenya. 

· Mwai Kibaki- Third president of 

the republic of Kenya. 

· Raila Amolo Odinga- second 

prime minister of the republic 

of Kenya. 

· Kipchoge Keino- Most 

famous athlete and sports 

administrator. 

· Martin Shikuku (deceased)– 

Independence icon and 

renowned MP. 

· Professor Wangari Maathai 

(deceased)- First female 

professor of veterinary 

medicine, environmental 

campaigner, and winner of the 

Nobel Peace Prize. 

· Professor Ngugi wa Thiongo – 

Renown writer and professor of 

English and literature. 

· Professor Francis Imbuga 

(deceased) – Professor of 

literature and renowned writer. 

· Thomas Joseph Mboya 

(deceased)- Trade unionist, MP, 

Minister and brilliant architect 

of the Kenya’s early economic 

plan and strategies. 

Kenya’s Timeline. 

· 1952- Mau Mau uprising- the 

bloody uprising against colonial 

rule. 

· 1963- Country defeats the 

British and gains independence 

· 1978 - First president of the 

country dies in his sleep. Daniel 

Arap Moi takes over. 

· 1982- Attempted coup d’état to 

overthrow the government of 

the day. 

· 1991- The law changed to 

allow the registration of more 

political parties. 

· 1998 – A bloody terrorist attack 

in the middle of the capital 

leaves 230 dead. 

· 2002- President Moi retires 

and Mwai Kibaki takes over as 

president. 

· 2007- Disputed elections results 

in very bloody skirmishes and 

the unfortunate death of 1,600 

Kenyans many killed with 

unimaginable brutality. 

· 2013 – President Kibaki retires 

and Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta 

takes over as president. 


46 


LONDON BASED EVENT, FESTIVAL 

FOOD & SERVICE PROVIDER 

T: 07940188413 

F: sara.okello.777@facebook.com 

E:sabadema93@gmail.com 

T: sarahokello@sabadema 

Money Transfer

MAASAI 

Community Real Life Stories profile 

A Profile of the Maasai Community. 

Mercy Kimintah a Kenyan of Maasai heritage and Co-founder of the 

“Kenyan in the Park” gives a short preview of the Maasai and how 

their famed cultural practices have evolved to the modern world. 

By Mercy Kimintah. 

The Maasai origin 

The Maasai people reside in South Kenya and 

Northern Tanzania. The ancestors of the Maasai are 

thought to have originated from North Africa. They 

migrated South, along the Nile Valley in the middle 

of the 15th Century through the Rift Valley, arriving 

and settling in Tanzania at the end of the 19th 

Century. The Maasai are pastoralist and are famous 

for their fearsome reputation as warriors and cattle 

rustlers. As they immigrated, they took possession 

of most land in the Rift Valley in Kenya to Dodoma 

in Tanzania. 

The Maasai people speak Maa, a Nilotic ethnic language 

from their origin in the Nile region of Northern 

Africa. The Maasais are divided into a number 

of clans and groupings known as Iloshon. 

Maasai way of life 

The Maasai live in small collection of circular huts 

called Enkangs. These huts are made of cow-dung, 

mud, tree branches and grass. They have no windows 

but a tiny hole on the roof to let some light in 

the hut and let smoke escape from the smouldering 

fire. The homes are surrounded by thick round 

fence of sharp thorn bushes to protect the people 

and the cattle especially at night from rival tribes 

and predators. These Enkangs are semi-permanent 

structures and could be built elsewhere if the 

Maasai are to move their cattle from one place to 

another in search of greener areas for their cattle 

to graze on. The Maasai depend on their animals 

for food. They eat meat and drink milk. On special 

occasions and ceremonies, they drink fresh blood 

from a bull. 

Initiation to adulthood 

The lives of the Maasai people are marked by rituals/ceremonies 

which determine one’s status of 

age-set in the society. There are many ceremonies 

in the Maasai community. Enkipaata (senior boy 

ceremony), Emuratta (circumcision), Enkiama (marriage), 

Eunoto (warrior head shaving), Eokoto e- 

kule (milk drinking), Enkang oo nkiri (meat eating) 

Orugesherr (junior elders), Endoto/Enkigerunoto 

(ear lobe piercing) and Ilkipirat (leg fire marks). Of 

all the rituals, circumcision is the most important 

rite of passage which elevates a boy from childhood 

to adulthood and a girl into a woman. But 

women circumcision is no longer widely practiced. 

After Emuratta, the young man must wear black 

clothes for 4-8 months while healing. After the 

initiation, the adult (Moran) in the past could be 

expected to prove his manhood by killing a lion 

armed with nothing more than a spear but this 

48 


practice is no longer allowed by the government. 

One can see there would be no lions left! 

Marriage 

Maasai marriages are arranged by the elders, without 

consulting the bride or mother. Maasai women 

have (had) few rights, although things are changing, 

particularly with the push to educate girls. 

Maasai girls are a source of wealth in the family. Before 

female circumcision was stopped, the Maasai 

girls were circumcised between ages 11-13 and afterwards 

married to a man chosen by her father in 

exchange of cattle and cash! Divorce is not allowed 

in Maasai community except in cases of physical 

abuse. Once divorced, the woman will never leave 

her former husband’s family home; nor be allowed 

to marry again, even if her divorced husband 

dies or she’s young enough herself to marry once 

again. She gets inherited by her husband›s brother 

(nothing sexual) and becomes one of the multiples 

wives. Polygamy is very common among the Maasai 

people. Sexual relations between blood relations 

in the same clan is considered a taboo among 

the Maasai. 

Family role 

The Maasai men speak for women and make decisions 

in the family. Male elders decide community 

matters. Maasai men are responsible for herding 

cattle, they carry around spears to protect their 

cattles against wild animals like lions and build the 

fences and sheds around the homes for protection. 

The women look after young children, milk cattle, 

build the huts, collect firewood, prepare food and 

travel many miles to fetch water. 

Maasai community changing. 

With the rising challenges of the 21st Century, 

many Maasai traditions are changing. The introduction 

of formal education, especially for girls is 

rising and many young women no longer undergo 

circumcision (Clitoridectomy). The Maasai tribal 

leadership is loosing its power and emerging western 

forms of leadership and governance. 

**Karibu Magazine welcomes Kenyans wishing 

to teach others about their community/Culture to 

contact the editor. 


50 


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Voice of the youth 

An inspirational lesson for the Youth in the UK: 

Stessy Nyaga aged 25 narrates her transformation from confusion, failure 

and disappointment, a negative stereotype and her journey to becoming an 

inspiration to those young people struggling with failure and hopelessness. 

By Stessy Nyaga: 

52 


I lived a simple childhood with my parents. 

I realised very early on that although I was 

potentially very intelligent, I was different from 

other children and had an entirely different 

identity. Growing up in the UK confused me; I 

didn’t understand where I would fit in. I didn’t 

understand why my parents could not give me 

the same things as the British children had. 

By the time I reached the second year of my 

secondary Education, I was now a well known 

young person in my local area of Stratford in 

east London. I was endlessly energetic and very 

easily bored, a young active mind at constant 

overdrive and needing to be captivated, peer 

pressure knocking on the door. By year 8, I 

started getting in trouble at school and at 

home, entertaining gang life and the party 

free lifestyle. 

The first transformation came when my 

parents decided to send me to Kenya to 

complete my secondary school education: 

I felt numb emotionless. I went from being 

well known and comfortable with the people 

around me to being the new girl, the different 

one (again).I couldn’t let them smell fear 

otherwise they would have torn me apart. 

While in Kenya my teachers saw the “light” 

in me. They understood I wasn’t a bad kid. 

Instead they knew I was just an intelligent and 

energetic girl. I was a member of most sport 

teams, choir and after school activities. I made 

great friends and I loved the experience and I 

fell in love with my country, I fell in love with 

my family. This is why I see the light in young 

adults. They have such amazing dreams and a 

strong desire to be a part of this world, valid 

hardworking members willing to make a full 

and whole contribution. 

Between the ages 16 and 17, I felt so 

unproductive after coming from a productive 

environment in Kenya. I got pregnant at 17 

and moved out of my parents’ house. I would 

say this was a hugely disruptive time in my life. 

I felt like a disappointment, like I was destined 

to fail. At this time I was in the process of 

joining college and eventually entered higher 

education while caring for my daughter. 

Launching my organisation came with so many 

blessings disguised as failures, people didn’t 

believe in me, they judged me, and they felt 

my past defined my ability to contribute to my 

community. I have been disappointed so many 

times in the past. I made the decision to allow 

my dreams to motivate me, I knew I came out 

of this whole life for a reason; I threw my heart 

into God, into the youth, into productivity and 

into development. I succeeded in all. 

The real success story is written by my parents; 

most individuals give up on their children 

and accept the labels society throws at their 

children. My parents gave me the time to 

realise how much they had invested in me; 

they gave me time to realise that they were 

trying to provide for me in a country rigged 

with unequal opportunities for African 

men and women. My biggest regret is not 

appreciating who I was at an earlier stage in 

life and allowing others to define me. 

Today I am Stessy Nyaga, 25 years of age 

and a graduate in Forensic Science with 

Human Biology; managing the umbrella 

youth organisation for young Kenyans in 

the Diaspora. I am an associate fellow for the 

Royal Commonwealth Society and I have won 

multiple awards for my contributions to young 

people and contributing to international 

youth policy. 

I am also Stessy Nyaga, a single mother, 

originating from Shauri Moyo, Kenya; I am also 

Stessy Nyaga a young woman who overcame 

the stereotypes of being black and African in 

the United Kingdom to succeed and do what I 

want and make a contribution to make the lives 

of the youth better as well as my community 

too. 


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